Fees, tax increases arise in Cook County budget

October 28, 2011

City Desk

A Cook County commissioner says he's surprised at some new fees and tax increases in the county's recent budget proposal. Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle estimates that some of these increases could bring in more than $5 million.

Commissioner Larry Suffredin said the president failed to make some increases clear in early budget talks.

"That was failing in this presentation in that only the larger numbers were mentioned, not the smaller numbers, which add up to being large numbers," he said.

The Evanston commissioner says he doesn't have a problem with some of the budget suggestions, but thinks the increases are too high.

Preckwinkle proposes a new licensing fee for jukeboxes, pool tables and video poker, along with doubling vehicle stickers for unincorporated Cook County residents. She's also suggesting an increase in parking rates at unincorporated county garages.